DRAGON FRUIT – HEALTH BENEFITS, USES & EFFECTS
Dragon Fruit – Health Benefits, Uses & Effects
What is dragon fruit?
Before we dive into the effect of taking a lot of dragon fruit, let’s take a closer look at what this tropical fruit is and what makes it special. Dragon fruit comes from the Hylocereus cactus species and is native to Central and South America. It has a bright pink or yellow exterior with green scales and a white or pink interior with black seeds. Dragon fruit is a good source of nutrients, including vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.
Nutritional content of the dragon fruit
Is the dragon fruit good? According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), one cup of dragon fruit contains:
- 103 kcal.
- 0 grams of fat.
- 5.6 grams nke fiber.
- 27.4 grams nke carbohydrates.
Health benefits of dragon fruit
Dragon fruit is rich in nutrients. Eating dragon fruit helps you get all the nutritional benefits you need. Some of its health benefits are:
1. Antioxidant properties
Dragon fruit contains many antioxidants such as flavonoids, betacyanin, and phenolic acid.
Antioxidants help protect cells from free radicals. It helps eliminate many compounds that are harmful to the body.
2. satiety
Eating dragon fruit as a healthy snack will help you feel full throughout the day. All this is due to the high fiber content of the fruit.
The added benefit is that you will meet the nutritional requirements every day. This way, you won’t have to worry about possible health problems.
3. Regulation of blood sugar levels
This property of the dragon fruit is especially useful for all those who are pro-diabetes.
Dragon fruit helps maintain blood sugar levels. It helps replace damaged cells in the pancreas with healthy cells.
This process contributes to the synthesis of insulin.
4. Prebiotic properties
Prebiotics are a prerequisite for probiotics. It may sound complicated, but in simple terms, dragon fruit helps to maintain good health.
It also helps promote a healthy gut.
MEDICAL USES
1. Heart attack and stroke
Dragon fruit is a perfect example of a heart-healthy fruit. Omega fatty acids are found in small amounts of edible fruits.
These omega fatty acids help regulate good and bad cholesterol levels.
Removing bad cholesterol (or LDL) from the body helps reduce plaque buildup. This helps the blood to flow properly through the arteries and vessels.
2. Cold and flu
People with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to common illnesses.
Vitamin C in dragon fruit helps boost immunity. It helps protect the body from harmful microorganisms.
So, when you eat dragon fruit, you don’t have to worry about getting cold or flu.
3. Obesity
Dragon fruit makes up 11% of the daily fiber needs. It helps in the regulation of the intestinal system.
A person who eats even one dragon fruit a day will be satisfied.
This will prevent you from eating junk food that only leads to weight gain.
4. Cancer
Lycopene is not the only cause of red color. Vitamin C and lycopene in dragon fruit are powerful antioxidants.
It helps in the prevention of cancer and is useful in the treatment of breast cancer. However, this requires more research on human subjects.
5. Anti aging
Dragon fruit helps you get rid of the signs of aging on the skin. Vitamin C has an antioxidant effect on the skin.
Those who eat dragon fruit help you get rid of wrinkles, acne and skin. Ultimately, it makes you look younger.
6. Anemia
Pregnant women often experience anemia during pregnancy. This often results in miscarriage and fetal death.
Dragon fruit helps prevent iron deficiency anemia. It helps to increase the level of hemoglobin and erythrocytes in the blood.
7. Diabetes
Dragon fruit helps maintain blood sugar balance.
This is especially helpful when you eat foods that raise glucose levels. Dragon fruit helps fight insulin.
Effects of the Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is very good to eat. There are no critical or major side effects of the fruit.
Still, some people have reported symptoms of anaphylactic reaction. Symptoms of these reactions include:
- Skin is toxic
- Tongue swelling
- Hives
- Redness on the skin
These side effects are minor and people do not report these reactions. The effects usually arise because the immune system is working against the dragon fruit. This is probably why some people react badly to dragon fruit.
Another possible effect of this fruit is pseudohematuria. In this condition, the color of pee, stool, or other body fluids turns red. Even if it can create fear at first sight.
However, this is completely harmless to the effect of eating dragon fruit. When a person eats beets in abundance, it can produce the same effect.
So, if you find your pee is red, don’t worry, because this is a temporary condition.
CONCLUSION
The dragon is a beautiful fruit. Not only is it good for photography, but it is also good for your health.
When you buy dragon fruit, always look for fresh fruit that has more value. Don’t let the appearance of the fruit fool you and remember its amazing benefits.
